News

SAPR Office Makeover

—Merri M. Shaffer7/1/2013

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The Air Force’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office is making significant structural changes to strengthen its efforts to combat a growing trend in military sexual misconduct cases. “No one cares more about fixing this issue than we do,” said Maj. Gen. Margaret Woodward, SAPR office director, in a statement to the Daily Report. “Not only because this is our family, but also because our lives inherently depend on our trust in our wingmen.” One of the first changes was to raise the office to a directorate level from a branch level, aligning it directly under the Air Force vice chief of staff. Other actions will include a personnel increase from four to around 30 and an analysis team to take a more analytical and methodical approach to combating sexual misconduct in the Air Force, SAPR office spokeswoman Lt. Col.Jill Whitesell told the Daily Report. Airmen also will be asked to participate in cultural surveys and focus groups. While the structural and staff improvements have no set timeline, Whitesell said it needs to be a top priority for Air Force leadership. “We are trying to build the team as quickly as possible in order to move forward with assessing and addressing the issues.” Continue to full report.